Port of Long Beach commission votes to waive cargo fees during strike

LONG BEACH - Importers and exporters who saw their goods stranded on docks and ships during the clerical workers strike earlier this month will receive some financial relief.

The Port of Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners on Monday unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance waiving cargo-related holding and storage fees that were incurred during the strike at the Long Beach port, where three of six terminals were closed from Nov. 28 to Dec. 4.

Port officials said forgoing the cargo fees, which exporters and importers are charged when items sit longer than required, will help customers quickly move the container backlog.

"I think it's the right thing to do," Commissioner Rich Dines said before voting for the waiver. "We need to protect the interest of cargo owners who choose the Port of Long Beach as their port of choice. Competition is more fierce today than ever and we want to keep the cargo coming to Long Beach."

The strike started Nov. 27 at the Port of Los Angeles after more than two years of talks fell apart between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 63 Office Clerical Unit, the union representing more than 600 clerical workers at both ports, and their employers, the Los Angeles/Long Beach Harbor Employers Association, which represents shipping agencies and terminal operators in Southern California.

The strike, which longshore workers honored, spread to the Port of Long Beach a day later, resulting in the shutdown of two-thirds of the twin ports, considered the nation's busiest seaport complex.

The closures prompted ships either to sit idly in the water waiting to dock or head to other ports.

Don Snyder, director of trade development for the Port of Long Beach, said the port was able to recover quickly once the strike was over because there were enough berths and cranes to meet the surge of returning vessels, plus additional night and weekend hours to help with the backlog of cargo.

"With few exceptions, the recovery has been proceeding amazingly fast and smooth when you talk to most parties," Snyder said.

Trade conferences help

Trade-related organizations that will gather in Long Beach for conferences over the next five years will account for 16,885 booked room nights and about $7.5 million in economic impact for the city of Long Beach, a top convention official told Port of Long Beach officials Monday.

They include groups such as Intermodal Association of North America, which is expected to generate $3.8 million to the local economy and 9,120 room nights when it meets in September 2014 and 2017, while Trans Pacific Maritime Conference, whose members will gather March 2013, 2014 and 2015, is estimated to yield $2.7 million to Long Beach and 6,600 room nights, said Steve Goodling, president and CEO of the Long Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Conventions also include the California Construction Expo, which will account for 50 room nights and $387,500 in economic impact when it meets in August 2013, the U.S. Grains Council with 830 room nights and $444,330 to the city when it meets in February 2014, and the Footwear Retailers and Distributors of America, which will meet in October 2013 and account for 285 room nights and $236,000 to the local economy, Goodling added.

Goodling credited the bureau's partnership with the port for helping to secure the business.